KHAIRPUR, Jan 3: President of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, has said that computerised NICs were being issued to non-locals throughout Sindh and particularly in Karachi to facilitate them to cast their votes in the next general elections. Expressing his concern, he said delaying tactics were being used, when a son of spoil applies for the same, he added.

At a press conference here on Wednesday, Mr Shah said that the government employees and officers, particularly doctors who have domicile of other districts, were being sent out of Karachi which was a serious issue and indicated that tactics were being used to send the Sindhi people out of the metropolis with the message that they cannot continue government jobs in Karachi.

He added that an indirect official effort was being made to divide Sindh. He said that government was carrying out a propaganda about education and health but it was a fraud and has no reality. He added that the academic side of Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, has collapsed and according to HEC ranking, the university’s standing was 22nd.

He said that it seems that no rule and regulation was being observed in Sindh. He condemned President Musharraf for playing a double game. On the one hand the president was urging the people to vote for progressive people while on the other, he had launched election campaign of the PML-Q by addressing public gatherings.

He said that by raising controversial issues, the president was trying to divert people's attention from genuine issues being faced by the common people which included poverty, unemployment and price hike.

He said that a fair and free general election was essential for restoration of democracy in the country. He added that for this purpose an impartial and independent election commission must be set up.

He said that it had been decided that PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto would return after announcement of election schedule and also lead party’s election campaign.

BABY GIRL: A minor girl, Jameela 6, daughter of Khuda Bux Mangi, died after she fell into a drain in Tauheed colony here on Tuesday evening. She was playing with other children outside her house on second day of Eid. When she did not return home, the relatives started a hunt for her. Some children told them that she was playing near the manhole. Later, the people recovered her body from the manhole.